The Microgrid Controller: An Empowering Technology at the Grid Edge: Realizing Benefits From Microgrids Via Sequential De-Risking of Controller Technology

Electrical energy usage at the grid edge is growing steadily. Consequently, the electric distribution sector is undergoing an extraordinary transformation. Enabled by emerging regulations, customer-owned behind-the-meter assets with the ability to provide grid services have blurred the boundary with utilities. The end users exposed to frequent and powerful extreme weather events are demanding resilience against disruption of supply. Further, the impact of climate change and the need for sustainable energy are forcing a wide-ranging shift from traditional grids. Coupled with procedural bottlenecks for siting and commissioning new transmission and centralized generation projects, there is an urgent need for enhancements to the distribution grid. Grid edge technologies and devices that boost resilience, sustainability, and economic paybacks are expected to rapidly penetrate the electric distribution realm. The integration of these devices, and the associated operation philosophies, offers unexplored benefits and new challenges. We present practical implementations of an intelligent grid edge technology, i.e., a versatile microgrid controller (MC), that addresses resilience, economic benefits, interconnection management, and sustainability. To deliver a successful implementation, the technology must be de-risked in sequential stages, from algorithm development to pilots, with transitional stops at software in the loop (SiL), hardware in the loop (HiL), and digital twin testing. In this article, we detail a comprehensive methodology for the development of an MC technology via this de-risking approach and present three successful field deployments corresponding to different use cases and customer types.